Revised Common Lectionary Readings: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
It seems that often the most difficult texts to read in connection to our work towards justice are the eschatological ones, the texts that seem to speak only of “end times.” For instance, I think the passage for today from Matthew is often narrowed down to the final verse, “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matt. 25:13). The text does not seem to inform much beyond our hope in the final end-of-days victory of Christ, the bridegroom. While many of the parables of Jesus have clear ethical intentions or frameworks, this text does not. The text from the letter to the Thessalonians is similar in that the message deals primarily with the Eschaton and not explicitly with our daily lives. However, I think that when we look deeper into these texts we find a hope and direction that transcends the eschatological or apocalyptic framework they are often put in and that inform lives of service and justice.
First, I think one thing we can draw from Matthew’s parable is that we are invited to God’s party. We are guests welcomed into the Kingdom by Christ and therefore join the celebration of God’s Kingdom. In this sense I think we can see the party as having already begun with the incarnation in Christ. The party that begins with Christ is a celebration that continues in our work for justice. When we work to embody the Kingdom we celebrate in God’s ultimate victory. We see our work as part of a Kingdom that is present yet not complete and we approach it with a sense of genuine celebration.
Further, I think that Matthew’s text is also a mandate for self care. A friend of mine who has in recent weeks been working diligently as a chaplain in protest communities here in New York City has been unable to continue her chaplaincy work because she has literally worked herself to the point of sickness. Her passion and vigor for her vocation led her beyond the brink of exhaustion and health. In the words of this text in Matthew, her oil ran out. We can see in the text the significance of the sustaining nourishment of oil in the lamps and we can see the parallel in the story of my chaplain friend. If we neglect to refill our metaphorical oil from time to time we will burnout and be of little use to the Kingdom. We must in our own ways refill our oil to be able to continue the work of justice in the world. I would encourage us all for the sake of our communities and for the Kingdom to be aware of when our oil supplies are running low and refill them in our own ways.
Ultimately, this text in Matthew as well as the text in 1 Thessalonians is about the unique hope that we have as workers in the Kingdom. No matter how dismal it may seem at times, our work for justice is not in vain. The resurrection points to the example of hope that Christ provides, and we must approach our work every day in light of this hope.
By Matthew Dean, Intern, MCC UN Office
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